I am writing to express deep…

I am writing to express deep concern and opposition to the proposed changes in Bill 5.

This legislation would eliminate the permit system for activities impacting species at risk and replace it with a registration-first model, allowing developers to begin work immediately—without prior review—so long as they claim to follow guidelines that have not yet been finalized. This represents a dangerous weakening of oversight and public accountability.

Further, the narrowing of the legal definition of “habitat” excludes vital migratory routes and foraging areas, limiting protections to only the most immediate nesting or denning sites. Bill 5 also proposes removing recovery strategies entirely, which are essential for restoring endangered species populations and habitats. Adding to these concerns is the proposed removal of “harass” from the list of prohibited activities, which could open the door to even more disturbances to vulnerable wildlife.

These changes echo a pattern I witnessed firsthand. I grew up along a riverbank, where a beautiful old forest once stood. As a teenager, I went to City Hall to speak out against the planned clearcutting of that forest to build luxury homes. I spoke about the forest’s importance to our community, its wildlife, and the connection it nurtured in us as children. Despite heartfelt public opposition, the development moved forward. That forest is now gone. The loss is permanent, and the sense of powerlessness we felt in the face of that decision has stayed with me for decades.

Bill 5 signals that the Ontario government may once again disregard public and ecological interests in favor of streamlined development. It removes checks and balances that exist to prevent the kind of irreversible harm I’ve already witnessed in my lifetime.

I urge the government to withdraw this bill and uphold its responsibility to future generations by strengthening, not dismantling, protections for species at risk and the ecosystems they depend on.